Non-slip foot device

ABSTRACT

A device for supporting the foot on a surface, such as a bed, wherein the device has a layer of frictionable material for underlying the foot to cause a frictional force to be developed between the layer and the surface to inhibit movement of the foot in one direction as the leg is in a relazed, flexed condition. A number of embodiments of the device are disclosed.

United States Patent 1 Creamer [54] N ON-SLIP FOOT DEVICE [72] Inventor:Adelene Creamer, 137 Palmer Ave.,

Mountain View, Calif. 94040 [22] Filed: Dec. 31, 1969 21 Appl. No.:889,451

[52] US. Cl ..36/l1.5, 36/81 [51] Int. Cl. ..A43b 3/12 [58] Field ofSearch ..36/7.6, 2.5, 8.1, 9, 59, 11.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,291,958 l/1919 Lund..36/8.1 2,179,124 11/1939 Jesnig ..36/8.l 2,185,762 1/1940 Cox ..36/8.1

[ 51 Aug. 15, 1972 3,381,178 4/1968 l-laig ..36/2.5 2,926,435 3/1960Maling ..36/l 1.5 X 3,290,802 12/ 1966 Fukuoka ..36/ l 1.5

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Townsend and TownsendABSTRACT A device for supporting the foot on a surface, such as a bed,wherein the device has a layer of frictionable material for underlyingthe foot to cause a frictional force to be developed between the layerand the surface to inhibit movement of the foot in one direction as theleg is in a relazed, flexed condition. A number of embodiments of thedevice are disclosed.

7 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures Paten ted Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,519

FIG.2

FIG.|A

22 FIG.6

.FIG.3 A

INVENTOR.

ADELENE M. CREAMER BY ATTORNEYS NON-SLIP FOOT DEVICE This inventionrelates to improvements in footwear for use in lounging and, moreparticularly, to a device which holds the foot on the surface of a bedwhen the leg is bent and held in a relaxed state.

The present invention is adapted for use by people sitting or recliningin bed and who desire to hold their legs in bent or flexed positions toavoid the discomfort which generally arises due to having the legsstretched out full length along the bed surface. Many persons who arebed-ridden or must remain in bed for extended periods of time oftenexperience discomfort because they are unable to hold their legs forcertain periods of time in bent positions while the rest of the body isin a sitting or reclining position. The reason for this is that thelegs, when flexed, cannot generally remain so without the feet slidingforwardly over the surface of the bed unless strain is placed on thelegs to prevent such forward movement. This strain prevents relaxing ofthe legs and eventually causes muscle irritation; hence, the legs cannotgenerally be relaxed at any time and as a result, the person experiencesdiscomfort and cannot find a comfortable position while sitting orreclining.

The present invention provides a device which is adapted to support thefoot to substantially inhibit forward movement of the foot over thesurface of the bed when the leg is bent or flexed and in a relaxedstate. Thus, the weight of the leg will tend to cause forward movementof the foot but the device will develop a frictional force tending toprevent any such forward movement. As a result, the person can be in asetting or reclining position with the legs bent and relaxed while beingassured that the feet will not slide forwardly and into a position whichwill cause discomfort.

The device of the present invention has a layer of frictionable materialwhich is adapted to underlie the foot and to prevent its movement in aforward direction with respect to the surface of the bed. The materialcan be of rubber, neopreme or the like, which, when placed in engagementwith a fabric, such-as a bed sheet or the like, causes a frictionalforce to be developed when there is a tendency to cause the layer tomove over the fabric surface.

The device of the present invention is simple in construction and cantake the form of any one of a number of different embodiments. Thedevice can be formed with means for quickly and easily attaching thesame to the foot so that the layer of frictionable material thereonunderlies the foot. The device can be made so that it can be folded intoa compact form for storage and can be worn without causing anydiscomfort to the foot.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device having alayer of frictionable material adapted to support the foot on a surfaceto cause a frictional force to be developed between the surface and thefoot to inhibit movement of the foot in one direction over the surfacewhen the leg is flexed and in a substantially relaxed condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed which can be formed from any one of a number of differentembodiments including an embodiment wherein the layer is secured to theunderside of the foot in a manner to avoid causing discomfort to thewearer yet allowing the foot to be moved about while the layer remainssecurely disposed on the bottom of the heel.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the followingspecification progresses, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing for illustrations of a number of embodiments of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the device ofthis invention with the device being shown on the foot and in anoperative position for holding the leg against movement over a generallyflat surface;

FIG. 1a is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the deviceof FIG. 1, showing the layer of frictional material on the bottomthereof;

FIGS. 2-4 are views similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating other embodimentsof the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another device forming anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is another device of the invention for positioning between thefoot and a surface for supporting the foot.

The first embodiment of the device of this invention is illustrated inFIG. 1 and includes a device 10 which is adapted to be coupled to thefoot so as to be worn thereon generally in the vicinity of the heel andto engage a surface 12 much in the manner of a slipper or shoe. In fact,device 10 has the same form as the rear portion of a conventional shoein that it has a pair of spaced sides 14, only one of which is shown inFIG. 1, and a back 16 interconnecting sides 14. A strap and buckle unit18 is used to releasably interconnect sides 14 so that device 10 can bereadily placed on and taken off the foot. The forwardmost edge 20 ofeach side 14 is located adjacent to the mid part of the foot.

The bottom of device 10 is provided with a layer 22 of frictionablematerial, such as rubber, neopreme or the like. Layer 22 can be securedin any suitable manner to a sole provided for device 10. However, layer22 can itself define the sole as shown in FIG. la. The layer extendssubstantially to the front edge 20 of each side 14 and is adapted toengage surface 12 so as to provide sufficient frictional force tocounter any tendency for the foot to slide forwardly when the leg isflexed or bent in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Layer 22 could also besufficiently long so as to substantially underlie the entire foot, inwhich case, sides 14 would extend forwardly from the locations shown inFIG. 1.

In use, device 10 is placed on the foot by use of the strap and buckleunit 18 and the user can then flex the leg in the manner shown in FIG. 1until layer 22 engages surface 12. Thus, the leg can be relaxed and theweight of the leg will tend to cause the foot to move forwardly oversurface 12. However, because layer 22 engages this surface, thefrictional force developed between the layer and surface 12 will besufficient to counter this tendency for the foot to move forwardly. As aresult, the leg will remain in the flexed or bent condition even thoughthe leg is relaxed, thus allowing the user of the device to remain in acomfortable position, such as in a sitting or partially recliningposition. Surface 12 will generally be a cloth or fabric surface, suchas a bed sheet or the like, so that device 10 is especially adapted foruse in bed.

Device can be made in any one of a number of different sizes and can beformed from any suitable material, such as a fabric or the like, withlayer 22 affixed to the fabric. Also, one particular size of device 10can fit feet of different sizes if the fabric defining sides 14 ofdevice 10 is sufficiently flexible to permit some expansion due to, forinstance, the width of the foot of the user. The device does not causediscomfort to the foot when worn so that if the user falls asleep withthe device on the foot, there will be no ill effects due to prolongedwearing of the device.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 and includes adevice 110 having a layer 122 of frictionable material, such as rubber,neopreme or the like, forming the bottom of the device. Strap means 118is coupled to layer 122 and is adapted to extend over the upper part ofthe foot to hold layer 122 on the bottom of the foot adjacent to theheel. In this embodiment, the foot is extended through the strap means,the latter forming a loop for receiving the foot. Device 1 10 is used insubstantially the same manner as device 10 whereinlayer 122 engages asurface, such as surface 1 12, which will be of fabric material or thelike so that a frictional force is developed between the surface andlayer 122 to inhibit forward movement of the foot when the leg is flexedin the manner shown in FIG. 1.

The bottom of device 110 can be formed in any suitable manner. Forinstance, layer 122 can comprise the entire bottom of device 110 asshown in FIG. 2. In the alternative, device 110 can be provided with asole to which layer 122 is bonded or otherwise affixed. Also, strapmeans 118 can be formed from any suitable material, such as an elasticband or the like, so as to hold layer 122 against the bottom of thefoot.

Another embodiment of the device is shown in FIG. 3 and is denoted bythe numeral 210. This device has a sock-like construction when the mainbody 212 of the device is formed of a fabric material which is put onthe foot in much the same manner as is a sock. Body 212 is provided witha slit 214 therein to define an upper, rear strap 216 for engaging theback of the foot to hold body 212 on the foot. The slit also defines alower portion 218 provided with a layer .222 of frictionable material,such as rubber, neopreme or the like. Layer 222 is affixed to portion218 in any suitable manner, the layer serving the same purpose as layers22 and 122 of devices 10 and 110. Device 210 is used in the same manneras devices 10 and 110 wherein layer 222, when engaging a surface offabric material or the like, causes a frictional force to be developedbetween layer 222 and the adjacent surface to inhibit forward movementof the foot when the leg is placed in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 and includes adevice 310 having a pair of sides 314, only one of which is shown, andstrap means including a first strap 316 for encircling the upper part ofthe foot and a second strap 318 for extending forwardly from strap 316for passage between a pair of toes and then rearwardly to a layer 322 offrictionable material, such as rubber, neopreme or the like, which is onthe bottom of device 310 in spanning relationship to sides 314. Layer322 is provided for the same purpose as the layers of the other devices.Thus, device 310 is used for the same purpose as devices 10, l 10 and210.

Sides 314 and straps 316 and 318 of device 310 can be made from anysuitable material, such as a fabric or the like. In the alternative,straps 316 and 318 can be formed from an elastic band for holding layer322 on the bottom of the foot without causing discomfort to the foot.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention and includes adevice 410 having the heel portion 412 and an arch portion 414 forunderlying the arch of the foot when the device is worn. Heel portion412 is provided with an irregular surface having openings or depressions416 which define a gripping means for gripping the foot in the vicinityof the heel to keep the device secured to the foot when portion 414underlies the arch of the foot.

A layer 422 of frictionable material, such as rubber, neopreme or thelike, is secured to the bottom of heel portion 412 and is provided forthe same purpose as the layers of the other devices mentioned above.Layer 422 can define the entire heel portion 412 and thereby be providedwith openings or depressions 416 on its upper surface. In thealternative, heel portion 412 can be formed of a material different fromlayer 422 with the layer being bonded or otherwise secured to the othermaterial.

In use, heel portion 412 is pressed against the heel of the foot so thatthe irregular surface adheres to the bottom of the foot by a grippingaction. When this occurs, portion 414 will underlie the arch of the footand layer 422 will be in a position to engage a fabric surfacetherebelow. Thus, the device can then be used to cause a frictionalforce to be developed between layer 422 and the surface therebelow toprevent forward movement of the foot when the leg is bent in the mannershown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein adevice 510 in the form of a sheet of frictionable material, such asrubber, neopreme or the like, is provided to support the heel of thefoot on a surface 512, such as fabric or the like. The device defines alayer of frictionable material which engages surface 512 to cause africtional force to be developed between the layer and the surface toprevent forward movement of the foot when the leg is flexed in themanner shown in FIG. 1. Sufficient frictional force will be developedalso between the foot and the upper surface of device 510 so that thefoot is substantially prevented from moving forwardly even though theleg is relaxed and in the flexed condition of FIG. 1.

The present invention provides a simple means of holding the footagainst forward movement over a fabric surface so that the device can beused in a number of different applications. The device is especiallysuitable for bed-ridden patients who oftentimes must recline or lie inbed with the legs flexed in order to enhance blood circulation throughthe legs. The device of the invention allows flexing of the legs whilepermitting the legs to remain relaxed so that undue strain on the legsis avoided to thereby eliminate the problems of stiffness in the legsdue to the development of strain therein.

I claim:

1. A device for holding the foot against movement over a surface, saiddevice comprising an open backed body including a layer of frictionablematerial adapted to be disposed between the foot and a surface and tocause a frictional force to be developed between the layer and thesurfacesufficient to hold the layer and thereby the foot against anysubstantial movement relative to the surface when the leg is in asubstantially relaxed, flexed condition and when at least a portion ofthe foot is supported by the layer on the surface, said layer having afront margin and a rear margin, the distance between the front and. rearmargins being substantially less than the length of the foot.

2.f."A device as set forth in'claim 1, wherein is provided a pairofstraps secured" to and extending upwardly from each side of the layer,said straps being convergent as the upper extremities thereof areapproached.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a pair ofspaced sides secured to and extending upwardly from said layer, eachside having a free rear margin, a first strap means for encircling theupper part of the foot when the heel is between the sides and secondstrap means coupled to said'la'yer and said first strap means forinsertion betweeri a' pair 'of toes when the first strap means encirclessaid upper part of the foot.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body includes asock-like member secured to the layer and extending upwardly therefrom,said member being tubular to receive and encircle the portion of thefoot "only in front of the ankle and beneath the heel to permit thelayer to be carried thereon beneath the heel and a strap on the memberfor holding the member on the foot.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided an irregular,foot-engaging surface on the upper part of the layer, said surfacedefining a means for gripping the bottom of the foot.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said layer comprises asheet of said material, said sheet having an upper, foot-engagingsurface.

7. A device for holding the foot against movement over a surfacecomprising: a layer of frictionable material; means having an open backand coupled with said layer for releasably holding the latter on thefoot to thereby permit the layer to support the foot on the surface andto cause a frictional force to be developed between the layer and thesurface sufficient to hold the foot against any substantial movementrelative to the surface when the leg is in a substantially relaxed,flexed condition, said layer having a front margin and a rear margin,the distance between the front and rear margins being substantially lessthan the length of the foot.

1. A device for holding the foot against movement over a surface, saiddevice comprising an open backed body including a layer of frictionablematerial adapted to be disposed between the foot and a surface and tocause a frictional force to be developed between the layer and thesurface sufficient to hold the layer and thereby the foot against anysubstantial movement relative to the surface when the leg is in asubstantially relaxed, flexed condition and when at least a portion ofthe foot is supported by the layer on the surface, said layer having afront margin and a rear margin, the distance between the front and rearmargins being substantially less than the length of the foot.
 2. Adevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided a pair of strapssecured to and extending upwardly from each side of the layer, saidstraps being convergent as the upper extremities thereof are approached.3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a pair ofspaced sides secured to and extending upwardly from said layer, eachside having a free rear margin, a first strap means for encircling theupper part of the foot when the heel is between the sides and secondstrap means coupled to said layer and said first strap means forinsertion between a pair of toes when the first strap means encirclessaid upper part of the foot.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1,wherein said body includes a sock-like member secured to the layer andextending upwardly therefrom, said member being tubular to receive andencircle the portion of the foot only in front of the ankle and beneaththe heel to permit the layer to be carried thereon beneath the heel anda strap on the member for holding the member on the foot.
 5. A device asset forth in claim 1, wherein is provided an irregular, foot-engagingsurface on the upPer part of the layer, said surface defining a meansfor gripping the bottom of the foot.
 6. A device as set forth in claim1, wherein said layer comprises a sheet of said material, said sheethaving an upper, foot-engaging surface.
 7. A device for holding the footagainst movement over a surface comprising: a layer of frictionablematerial; means having an open back and coupled with said layer forreleasably holding the latter on the foot to thereby permit the layer tosupport the foot on the surface and to cause a frictional force to bedeveloped between the layer and the surface sufficient to hold the footagainst any substantial movement relative to the surface when the leg isin a substantially relaxed, flexed condition, said layer having a frontmargin and a rear margin, the distance between the front and rearmargins being substantially less than the length of the foot.